Warren Beatty directed, co-produced (with Pieter Jan Brugge), co-scripted (with Jeremy Pikser), and stars in this political satire, a comedy drama about a U.S. senator who decides to start speaking the truth. Despondent California senator… MoreWarren Beatty directed, co-produced (with Pieter Jan Brugge), co-scripted (with Jeremy Pikser), and stars in this political satire, a comedy drama about a U.S. senator who decides to start speaking the truth. Despondent California senator Jay Bulworth (Beatty), up for re-election, is disillusioned by the usual campaign banalities; his marriage to Constance (Christine Baranski) seems equally hollow. In the midst of a nervous breakdown, Bulworth goes without sleep or food for three days and takes out a ten-million-dollar insurance policy on himself while arranging his own assassination. Drinking during a return to Los Angeles, Bulworth is scheduled to speak at an African-American church in South Central L.A. Once there, he tosses aside his prepared speech, startling both the audience and his campaign manager, Murphy (Oliver Platt), by improvising truthful remarks instead of the familiar rhetoric. These loose-cannon salvos gain the attention of an attractive young woman, Nina (Halle Berry). Bulworth finds an exhilaration with this new freestyle approach, and after shocking a gathering in Beverly Hills with further fulminations, Bulworth invites Nina and her girlfriends into his limo. During a spaced-out sojourn at one of South Central's more frenzied after-hours clubs, Bulworth gains respect for hip-hop culture.Still reeling from insights gained by this nightlife, he arrives the next day for a fundraising function at the Beverly Wilshire, startling everyone with a diatribe delivered in the intonations of a rap artist. His interest in Nina and his new optimistic outlook on life give Bulworth a sense of elation and a will to live. He phones to call off the hit, but the gears have been set in motion. After an assumed hitman turns up during a church appearance, Bulworth flees, and Nina offers him a safe-house hideout at the home of her family, veterans of the civil rights movement. Here Bulworth goes through the final steps in his transformation -- making a Kennedy-styled connection with the disenfranchised as he tunes in to forgotten memories of the '60s. Outfitted in homeboy clothing, the born-again Bulworth heads for a TV station to unleash even more caustic comments on the American political scene. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Bulworth is an angry movie, but Beatty is savvy enough to recognize that people respond better to comedies than serious "issue films," so he has camouflaged his message beneath the surface of this original, incisive satire.

A bit too broadly played by Warren Beatty in the main, this satire isn't massively subtle but does have - clearly - very serious points to make, with some… MoreA bit too broadly played by Warren Beatty in the main, this satire isn't massively subtle but does have - clearly - very serious points to make, with some surprising poignancy in later stages. Excellent ensemble cast.

Dimitris Springer

What a thrilling...bore...Ha,it could've been so much better.The ludicrous policy of the constitutional personas in and out of the socialite isn't… MoreWhat a thrilling...bore...Ha,it could've been so much better.The ludicrous policy of the constitutional personas in and out of the socialite isn't Beatty's forte.Come to think of it he strides his way alongside those people he attempts to mock and he marginally declines to denude them.Stripping your glove doesn't make you Rita Haywarth...

Jason Robinson

One of my all time favorite movies ever. Engaging characters, great humor, and poignant political satire (if you listening closely to Warren Beatty's… MoreOne of my all time favorite movies ever. Engaging characters, great humor, and poignant political satire (if you listening closely to Warren Beatty's raps).

Aaron Neuwirth

Bulworth is basically having a midlife crisis and decides to have himself assassinated. Because of this, he doesn't have to care about anything, so he… MoreBulworth is basically having a midlife crisis and decides to have himself assassinated. Because of this, he doesn't have to care about anything, so he starts to tell things like they are to everyone. At first it's shocking, but then people accept it and embrace. Meanwhile, Bulworth has taken a liking to black culture and channels his energy through that. The supporting cast fits well, and Warren Beatty is great. He wrote, directs, stars, and raps in this movie and it's hilarious.

Curt C

I love the opening scene. Tons of personality, completely captivating, and it all comes from a simple presence; a politician decides to start telling the… MoreI love the opening scene. Tons of personality, completely captivating, and it all comes from a simple presence; a politician decides to start telling the truth. The opening scene still gives me chills.

Nate Harris

Awkward. Not really funny, totally unsubtle and the idea of Warren Beatty rapping is distracting outlandish. I'm pretty sure he only made this movie to… MoreAwkward. Not really funny, totally unsubtle and the idea of Warren Beatty rapping is distracting outlandish. I'm pretty sure he only made this movie to hook up with Halle Berry.

Daniel J DeMersseman

Simultaneously very silly and poignant. It's like Chris Rock or Robin Williams trying to make a satirical, humorous political film, only it came out much… MoreSimultaneously very silly and poignant. It's like Chris Rock or Robin Williams trying to make a satirical, humorous political film, only it came out much sooner.
A great cast and crew, but it seems just a bit too stereotypical for a movie so bent on destroying stereotypes.

Alec Barniskis

I find it terribly fascinating that Beatty would cast himself in a role that calls for him to embarrass himself on a consistent basis. Now, some of that… MoreI find it terribly fascinating that Beatty would cast himself in a role that calls for him to embarrass himself on a consistent basis. Now, some of that embarrassment is actually funny and other times its painful (all the rapping he does through much of the middle of the film was probably ill advised) but it is ultimately enduring when you step back and look at the performance as a whole. As for the the rest of the film, its really a mess but I respect the ambition on Beatty's part to make something so strange and angry. Also, while most of the film looks dated pretty much all the things it's ranting about are even bigger problems now than they were in the late 90s, so its managed to retain a relevancy that's rare for films of this kind.

Marcus Woolcott

Great idea - politician has a nervous breakdown and starts telling the truth, which makes him popular with the voters and unpopular with everyone else. Sadly… MoreGreat idea - politician has a nervous breakdown and starts telling the truth, which makes him popular with the voters and unpopular with everyone else. Sadly they try too hard, chuck in waaay too many subplots (him becoming "black" never really works) and push it until it collapses in on itself and at the end it fizzles out where there should be a big bang. Platt is completely brilliant though. Man Of The Year with Robin Williams did a better job.